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require-codeowners-reviewable-patterns

Require all CODEOWNERS patterns to have at least one owner assigned.

Targeted pattern scope​

This rule reads the CODEOWNERS file (checked in .github/CODEOWNERS, .gitlab/CODEOWNERS, .bitbucket/CODEOWNERS, CODEOWNERS, or docs/CODEOWNERS) and parses each non-comment line, reporting any pattern that is followed by no owner entries.

What this rule reports​

This rule reports CODEOWNERS lines that declare a file-path pattern but list no owners, rendering the pattern unenforceable.

Why this rule exists​

GitHub and GitLab enforce CODEOWNERS patterns only when they contain at least one valid owner. A pattern with no owners is silently ignored by the platform — it does not block merges and does not request reviews. This creates a false sense of coverage in the review process. Keeping every pattern reviewable ensures the intent of the CODEOWNERS file matches its runtime behaviour.

❌ Incorrect​

# CODEOWNERS
*.ts                     # no owner — pattern is silently ignored
docs/                    @docs-team
*.md                     # another unowned pattern

✅ Correct​

# CODEOWNERS
*.ts          @team/typescript-owners
docs/         @docs-team
*.md          @docs-team

ESLint flat config example​

import repoPlugin from "eslint-plugin-repo";

export default [
  repoPlugin.configs.recommended,
  {
    plugins: { "repo-compliance": repoPlugin },
    rules: {
      "repo-compliance/require-codeowners-reviewable-patterns": "warn",
    },
  },
];

When not to use it​

Disable this rule if your workflow intentionally uses blank-owner CODEOWNERS lines as placeholders during migration, and you have a separate process to fill them in before merging.

Rule catalog ID: R047

Further reading​